Charges against Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly for alleged official misconduct and misapplication of funds stem from credits she approved for five local businesses designed to give them financial relief for losses incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kilkelly pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges outlined in her 15-count indictment during an arraignment in Lake County Court. “The mayor and City Council found it to be necessary and proper to provide these credits to businesses struggling with the pandemic and tried to comply with the efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Ald. Keith Turner, 6th Ward, said at a March 18 meeting.
Live Star, which received a $605.75 liquor license fee credit and a $1,639.08 gaming license credit, was not in good standing because of fire code violations on May 5, 2021, and because of an unpaid water bill on May 7, 2021, according to city records. Golf Road Citgo received a $605.75 credit for its fiscal 2021 liquor license. It was not in good standing because of outstanding license or late fees stemming from 2019, 2020, and 2021, according to city records.